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SIDS
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Researchers
Closing in on a Likely Cause of SIDS
[Baltimore,
MD – February 2, 2010) First Candle today announced
that researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have further
linked low serotonin levels in the brainstems of babies to
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. The research team's
most recent study, being published in the February 3 rd issue
of the Journal of the American Medical Association, compared
brainstems of babies who died of SIDS with brainstems of babies
who died of other, known causes. The results of the study
are compelling and send a strong message to new and expectant
parents, particularly since SIDS remains the leading cause
of death for babies one month to one year of age in the United
States.
First
Candle salutes Dr. Hannah Kinney and her research team for
their untiring efforts to unlock what was once thought to
be the mystery of SIDS. “After more than 20 years of research,
we may now be able to move forward in identifying babies at
risk and developing preventive treatments to correct this
serotonin deficiency,” said Kinney. In the study, the SIDS
babies had 25 percent less serotonin in their lower brainstem
and 22 percent lower levels of tryptophan hydroxylase, the
enzyme that makes serotonin. Levels of binding to the serotonin
receptors were 50 percent lower in the SIDS babies, signifying
that a serotonin defect in the brainstem was most likely involved
in the death of these babies.
As
this defect probably occurs during pregnancy, good prenatal
care is of utmost importance. “There is no safe amount of
alcohol, smoking or second-hand smoke that is safe for pregnant
women,” said Kinney. The Harvard team and other researchers
are also exploring a possible genetic cause for this defect.
The
study results also send a strong message to parents with newborns.
“We now know that there is likely a physical reason that many
of these babies die,” says Dr. Rachel Moon, Chair of the American
Academy of Pediatrics Task force on SIDS. “And when babies
with this defect are placed to sleep in unsafe places, the
results can be disastrous.” For babies with low serotonin
levels, re-breathing carbon dioxide (exhaled air) and overheating
during sleep can be fatal. Parents need to do all they can
to make sure their baby is ALWAYS placed to sleep on his or
her back and in a safe place.
“There
is a misconception among new mothers that sleeping with their
baby will somehow protect the baby from SIDS,” said Laura
Reno, Vice President of Public Affairs for First Candle. “This
couldn't be further from the truth. SIDS is a fatal event
– the baby doesn't just stop breathing, his or her entire
body shuts down. By the time you would notice that the baby
stopped breathing, there would be nothing you could do to
save the baby.”
As
yet, we do not know which babies have this defect, so it's
important to protect all babies. Besides keeping babies in
a smoke-free environment, here are things parents and caregivers
should do to protect babies from SIDS:
•
Make sure your baby is always placed to sleep in a safe place
at naptime and nighttime.
•
Babies need to sleep lying flat on their back on a firm mattress
covered with only a sheet.
•
Room sharing, or placing your baby's crib or portable play
yard in your bedroom is the safest. Put your baby's crib or
portable play yard alongside your bed for at least the first
six months.
•
Try and feed your baby only breast milk for at least the first
six months. Room sharing helps make breastfeeding easier.
•
Soft bedding and other items are dangerous and can keep your
baby from getting enough fresh oxygen or can cause suffocation.
Remove all soft bedding and other items from your baby's sleep
space, including blankets, pillows and soft or pillow-like
bumpers, when placing your baby down to sleep.
•
Make sure your baby does not get too warm. Use lightweight
sleep clothing and keep room temperature at what would be
comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. If your baby has
a fever, take extra care to be sure the baby does not get
too warm.
•
Use a wearable blanket or sleeper instead of loose blankets
if needed to keep your baby warm.
•
Research also shows that giving babies a pacifier when placing
them down to sleep can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Cribs
for Kids
The
“Cribs for Kids” Project provides safe cribs for babies, to
help prevent needless, tragic infant deaths. A new portable
crib costs only $50, and bedding and shipping cost another
$20. Your donation can help save a baby's life. Please help
us expand the Cribs for Kids Project and make sure that no
baby dies because he did not have a safe place to sleep. To
make a donation, please click on "Donate" above.
SIDS
Mid-Atlantic PO Box 799 Haymarket Virginia 20168
703-955-6899
sidsma27@aol.com
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